by Kristen Shamus, Detroit Free Press

As the music plays, and "Carry On," an anti-bullying anthem by California rock band Galvanized Souls picks up, things begin to change for young Colin.

His mom creates a surprise Facebook page to bolster her son's spirits for his 11th birthday, and people from around the world are inspired by the boy in glasses with a bow tie, the boy who has no friends.

By the end of the video, there's a big celebration, and the footage turns to color, like "The Wizard of Oz" over the rainbow. Colin sees that he has millions of friends; he sees that he is loved.

Colin Cunningham of Richland, whose Facebook page garnered more than 2 million likes in a little over one month's time last winter, is the star of the video for the band's new single, which is about overcoming struggles in life. He and his family will walk the red carpet for the video's premiere Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

Zakk Silveira, the 16-year-old lead singer of Galvanized Souls, said the band heard about Colin and thought his story would be a perfect fit for the video.

"We decided to create an anthem to show that you can carry on, and get past this thing, whatever it is," Silveira told the Free Press in an interview last month.

"And I saw Colin in me. We read a little about him, that he likes 'Dr. Who' and likes to wear bow ties. Those are my favorite things to wear around on every occasion, and I like to watch 'Dr. Who.' The story of being the odd guy out at school is something we can relate to. We've all been the odd guy out."

Colin's family flew out to the West Coast for filming in May, and they flew back out to California on Sunday to be there for the premiere.

"I loved it," said Colin's mother, Jennifer Cunningham, of the video. When she saw it for the first time, "I cried a lot. I love how it tells Colin's story so well for a short music video. And of course I love that my son is such a natural on camera. He's such a good little actor."

The Cunninghams hope to meet some of Colin's West Coast friends at the Los Angeles premiere and rally.

At the rally, several organizations, including No Bull, I Am Bully Free, NOH8, Beacon of H.O.P.E. and Toys for Tots will be there to support the cause.

Colin, who has a sensory processing disorder similar to Asperger's, told his mother in February that he didn't want a party for his birthday on March 9 because he had no one to invite. Jennifer Cunningham responded by creating a happy birthday page for her son that drew comments, pictures and love from around the world.

She also set up a post office box for him in Richland for well-wishers to send cards. More than 78,000 swamped the tiny post office - enough letters, packages and cards to stuff two rented storage units.

When the band's manager reached out to Jennifer Cunningham through his Facebook page, which she has renamed Colin's Friends since his birthday passed, she said she was hesitant at first.

"I obviously did my research before I said yes," she told the Free Press last month. "I think they're talented, and I also think they are very kind and compassionate people, which is key.

"There's more love and hope out there in the world than people think," Cunningham said.